Books in World's Greatest Composers series

Ludwig van Beethoven was born in 1770. Just over two decades later, the whole of Europe watched, horrifed, as first the King, then the Queen of France went to the guillotine. The Age of Revolution had arrived. Beethoven's music reflects the violence, passion, struggle and upheaval, as well as the quest for personal and spiritual fulfilment, of those times. By placing Beethoven within his historical and social context this new biography recreates the life of this passionate, controversial genius in words, pictures and music. The relaxed, conversational writing style will appeal to readers from ten upwards. The book includes extracts from some of Beethoven's most famous works (such as the 3rd, 5th and 9th symphonies, the "Emperor" piano concerto and the "Moonlight" sonata), in simple keyboard arrangements.

"Composer's World" is a new series of picture books for readers aged ten upwards, illustrating the lives and times of the world's greatest composers. It examines each composer's life and work within the context of the external factors which influenced his career. Almost 200 years ago Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in poverty at the age of 35. Born into a Europe dominated by the aristocracy, where composers relied on private patronage to earn their living, Mozart had attempted to break free from the shackles of servitude and become one of the first genuine "freelance" musicians. Though doomed to failure, he nevertheless left us a monumental legacy of over 600 masterpieces. Mozart lived and worked in some of Europe's most beautiful cities, and this illustrated biography brings his world to life. Musical extracts from some of Mozart's best-loved works - in simple keyboard arrangements - are also included.

This is a high-interest series filled with all kinds of fascinating facts that motivates pupils to read and encourages them to learn about design and technology. It describes the fastest, biggest and most amazing machines and vehicles in the world. This book features striking images to draw the reader in, and compares and contrasts vehicles, in tables of information - a useful feature for encouraging numeracy. It also uses a variety of ways to convey information, such as fact boxes, tables and different text types, so that pupils' interest is maintained.